Indo Cops 'Hit And Run' Then Beat Survivors

Indonesian Police 'hit and run' and then beat survivors in Nabire, West Papua

Nabire, West Papua: Police crash a police car into a group of five West Papuan youths, killing one and critically injuring two others, report human rights workers in Nabire.

Decky Nagapa (22 years old), a farmer from Wonerejo village, close to Nabire died at the scene. After the incident the four police personnel in the car including the driver were reported to have fled from the scene. Three of the Policemen except the driver then returned to the scene of the incident.

The Human rights workers report that the survivors, Deni Nakapa (27 years old) and Januarius Zonggenau (20 years old) both students from Wonerejo, who both suffering severe injuries, were then savagely beaten by police while being transported to the hospital.

Januarius Zonggenau (20 years old) was so badly beaten by police that he was unconscious when he arrived at the hospital.

The incident occurred two weeks ago on the 17th of August, Indonesia’s Independence Day.

The deceased and the two injured men are all from the Moni tribal group.

The two injured men suffered substantial injuries to the head, arms, back, and legs. Both men were admitted to the Public hospital in Siriwini. Both men were released on the 31st of August.

Zonggenau and Nakapa are both students studying in Manodo, Sulawesi and were visiting home for the holidays. Manado is the home of a sizeable and politically active West Papuan student population.

According to two witnesses at the scene, the driver and the three passengers – all policemen and driving a police owned car – clearly saw the men sitting by the side of the road when the car suddenly turned towards the men and increased speed.

The two injured survivors were then forced into a police car where they were beaten by police before being taken to hospital.

The driver of the police car, reported to be Rizal Asal from Buton in Sulawesi, is in police custody. Witnesses say that the car involved in the incident is a light blue Kijang displaying police license plate number DS 7472.

The names of the other three policemen at this stage are not known and it is unclear whether these men are under investigation or not. Witnesses and advocates of the three men are calling for a full investigation and charges to be laid against the three policemen as well as the driver.

This tragic incident is the latest in a series of recent incidents in Nabire. This includes recent “mysterious” killings of a church youth leader and human rights advocate Matius Bunai (29 years old) and teh killing of Ones Keiya (31 years old), a farmer. In addition human rights and local church workers in Nabire are being threatened.

Troops stationed in Nabire are also carrying out military operations in the Jamo valley inland of Nabire. Several weeks ago there was also a mass food poisoning event in Nabire which left scores of people sick and and many being admitted to hospital.

Also last week in Nabire there have been protests by students over corruption in the education department and a strike by teachers in the last week over lack of pay which closed 196 primary schools in the district.

Spokesperson for the Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights, Paula Makabory said today, "It is incredible that the Indonesian Police can do anything they like to Papuan people and get away with it. The Indonesian security forces are expanding a campaign of terror against the Papuan people in Nabire and a number of regional centres in West Papua."

"The Central government in Jakarta appears to have no interest in controlling their security forces. These security forces are working to cause conflict with the Papuan community. Human rights abuses in West Papua are increasing and it seems like the policy is supported by Jakarta. "

"You have to think that the Indonesian government sanctions this kind of intimidation and abuse of the West Papuan people. The Governments policy of Special Autonomy has failed in West Papua. The security forces are now tightening their control and carrying out repression of the community. A human rights crisis is unfolding in Nabire and the world must take notice."

ENDS

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